IONOS VPS vs DatabaseMart VPS : Best IONOS Alternative in 2026
As two VPS providers with over 20 years of experience, IONOS and DatabaseMart are often considered by users looking for reliable VPS solutions. In this article, we compare IONOS VPS and the IONOS alternative DatabaseMart VPS across product offerings, performance, technical support, pricing, and overall strengths and weaknesses, helping you choose the VPS solution that best fits your needs.
Company Background
| Aspect | IONOS | Database Mart |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Core Services | VPS, Cloud, Web Hosting, Domains | VPS, Dedicated Servers, GPU Servers |
| Infrastructure Model | Large-scale cloud & shared infrastructure | Dedicated and performance-focused |
| Data Center Locations | US, Germany, UK, Spain | US-based data centers |
| Target Users | Small businesses, developers | Small to midsize businesses, developers, SMBs, technical users, Windows-heavy workloads |
Summary:
Both IONOS and DatabaseMart are long-established VPS providers, but their core markets differ. IONOS is primarily rooted in Europe, while DatabaseMart serves as a more suitable IONOS alternative for users looking for US-based VPS hosting and infrastructure.
Hardware Comparison
| Hardware Aspect | IONOS VPS | DatabaseMart VPS |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Model | Lastest Intel / AMD CPUs | Intel Xeon E3-12xx v2 (Ivy Bridge, IBRS) |
| CPU Allocation | vCPU (time-shared) | vCPU (dedicated / guaranteed) |
| Disk Type | NVMe SSD | SSD or NVMe SSD |
| Disk Allocation | Dedicated storage | Dedicated storage |
| Bandwidth / Port Speed | Unlimited Traffics Up to 1 Gbps | Unlimited Traffics Up to 1 Gbps |
| IP Address | Shared or dedicated (plan-dependent) | Shared or dedicated (plan-dependent) |
Summary:
1. CPU Brand and Updates
Ionos VPS claims to use the latest AMD and Intel CPUs. DatabaseMart VPS also relies on reputable Intel CPUs, but the hardware refresh cycle may be slower, meaning some servers might not always have the newest models.
2. vCPU Allocation and Performance
While both providers use KVM virtualization, Ionos VPS vCPU performance can be affected by the host server’s CPU utilization, potentially leading to fluctuations under high load. In contrast, DatabaseMart VPS generally offers guaranteed vCPU allocation, providing more stable performance for long-running workloads.
3. Storage Type and NVMe Availability
Ionos VPS advertises full NVMe storage across all plans, offering consistent high-speed disk performance. DatabaseMart VPS may randomly assign either standard SSD or NVMe drives depending on the host, though higher-tier plans have a higher probability of NVMe allocation.
Price Comparison
| Spec Tier | IONOS VPS Configuration | IONOS Linux VPS Price | IONOS Windows Server VPS Price | DatabaseMart VPS Configuration | DatabaseMart Linux VPS Price | DatabaseMart Windows 10/11 VPS Price | DatabaseMart Windows Server VPS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 2 vCPU cores/ 4 GB RAM 120 GB NVMe |
$8/mo | $20/mo | 2 vCPU cores/ 4 GB RAM 60 GB SSD |
$6.99/mo | $6.99/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Basic | 4 vCPU cores/ 8 GB RAM 240 GB NVMe |
$15/mo | $35/mo | 4 vCPU cores/ 8 GB RAM 140 GB SSD |
$8.99/mo | $8.99/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Mid | 8 vCPU cores/ 16 GB RAM 480 GB NVMe |
$30/mo | $70/mo | 6 vCPU cores/ 12 GB RAM 180 GB SSD |
$16.99/mo | $16.99/mo | $25.99/mo |
| Plus | — | — | — | 8 vCPU cores/ 18 GB RAM 240 GB SSD |
$15.99/mo | $15.99/mo | $35.99/mo |
| High | 12 vCPU cores/ 24 GB RAM 720 GB NVMe |
$50/mo | $110/mo | 16 vCPU cores/ 32 GB RAM 400 GB SSD |
$51.99/mo | $51.99/mo | $63.99/mo |
Summary
1. No Setup Fees, Different Billing Complexity
Both IONOS VPS and DatabaseMart VPS do not charge a setup fee. However, IONOS may apply different taxes for US and international customers, and backup services are billed separately, while DatabaseMart VPS offers more straightforward and predictable pricing, only charge small tax from customers in Texas.
2. Contract Length and Renewal Transparency
IONOS VPS advertises its lowest prices through long-term (up to 3-year) contracts, with discounts typically valid only for the first 12 months and higher renewal rates in later years. DatabaseMart VPS uses a 2-year pricing cycle for its best rates and maintains consistent renewal pricing across monthly and long-term plans.
3. Value per CPU and RAM
For similar configurations, DatabaseMart VPS generally offers lower per-core CPU and per-GB RAM costs than IONOS VPS, delivering better overall value for performance-focused users.
4. Significant Price Gap for Windows VPS
IONOS Windows VPS plans are typically 2–3× more expensive than DatabaseMart for comparable CPU and RAM configurations, largely due to Windows Server licensing costs.
5. Windows Desktop VPS as a Cost-Effective Alternative
DatabaseMart provides Windows Desktop VPS at pricing comparable to its Linux VPS plans, helping users avoid high Windows Server license fees while still supporting common Windows-based workloads. However, IONOS Windows VPS only provides Windows Server OS.
6. VPS Hosting Plan Availability
IONOS VPS offers a limited selection of 12 predefined plans. In comparison, DatabaseMart provides 32 VPS hosting plans, covering a wider range of configurations to better match diverse customer requirements and workload types.
7. Refund Policy
Both IONOS and DatabaseMart offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for VPS services, applicable within 30 days of account registration.
VPS Management Console Comparison
IONOS Console
From the IONOS console, it’s clear that IONOS supports a wide range of services beyond traditional server offerings, including email, websites & online stores, and security solutions.
IONOS VPS Panel – Key Features Overview
Centralized Cloud Panel
Web-based management panel for Linux and Windows VPS
Unified control for VPS, Cloud Servers, networking, and storage
Server Lifecycle Management
Create, start, stop, reboot, and reinstall VPS.
Firewall & Network Configuration
Built-in firewall rules management
Protocol-level control for inbound/outbound traffic (TCP, UDP, ICMP, etc.)
Resource & Infrastructure Controls
Assign and manage block storage
Private networks, VPN setup, and load balancer support
User & Permission Management
Multi-user access with role-based permissions
Optional Web Hosting Panel
Optional Plesk Web Host Edition for website, domain, and database management
Not included by default; billed as an add-on
Database Mart Console
Compared with the multifunctional IONOS console, the DatabaseMart VPS control panel focuses on traditional high-performance VPS and server management. It emphasizes direct, intuitive control, making it a strong IONOS alternative for users who value performance, predictable resources, and a clear upgrade path over a broad cloud ecosystem.
Database Mart VPS Panel – Key Features Overview
Custom VPS Control Panel Overview
- In-house control panel with unified management for both Linux and Windows VPS
- Designed for server-level operations rather than a cloud-style abstraction layer
Server Lifecycle & OS Management
- Start, stop, reboot, and power control for VPS instances
- One-click OS reinstallation (Linux / Windows)
Upgrade & Scaling
- Upgrade CPU, memory, disk resources or total VPS plan directly from the control panel
- Seamless scaling to higher-tier VPS plans or migration to dedicated servers
- Real-time monitoring of VPS resource usage
Access & Connectivity
- SSH access for Linux and RDP access for Windows
- Support for multiple IP addresses (IPv6 available upon request)
Backup & Security (Provider-Managed)
- Provider-managed scheduled backups(Typically every 4 weeks for entry-level VPS. Every 2 weeks for higher-tier VPS)
- DDoS protection enabled by default
Features Comparison
| Feature / Aspect | IONOS VPS | DatabaseMart VPS |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden Fees | Taxes may vary by region; backups billed separately | No hidden fees; transparent pricing |
| Product Variety | 12 standard VPS plans | 32 VPS plans covering diverse workloads |
| 24/7 Technical Support | Yes, via livechat/ticket / phone | Yes, 24/7 engineer-level support via livechat/ticket/email |
| Response Time | Varies; generally within a few hours | Fast; typically within 1–2 hours via ticket, 3-10 minutes via chat |
| Common Use Cases | Small websites, general-purpose VPS | Small to High-load applications, long-running workloads |
| Backups | $7/month (100GB) | Free Regular Backup ($25 one-time fee to restore) |
| Upgrade Maximum Limit | Require switching to higher plan | Flexible scaling within VPS limits |
| Upgrade to Physical Server | Not directly | Not directly |
| Encrypted remote access | Yes | No |
| Full root access | Yes | Yes |
| Firewall management | Yes | Need to contact support |
| Extra IPs | $5/IP/Month | $2/IP/Month |
| Certified security | C5, IT-Grundschutz, and ISO 27001 certified , GDPR compliant | Dallas data center supports ISO 27001 |
Summary
Pricing Transparency
IONOS VPS pricing often changes at renewal and varies by region due to taxes, while DatabaseMart is a clear IONOS alternative with straightforward, transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
Backup Policy
IONOS VPS hosting typically charges extra for cloud backups (around $7/month per 100GB). DatabaseMart includes free backups and only charges when restoration is needed, helping reduce ongoing monthly costs.
Compliance & Target Users
As a large European provider, IONOS VPS servers support certifications such as ISO 27001 and C5, making them suitable for compliance-driven businesses. DatabaseMart is better suited for startups, developers, and individual users who prioritize performance and cost efficiency.
Scalability & Upgrades
In terms of scalability, DatabaseMart VPS plans allow seamless upgrades to the highest VPS configurations or the addition of CPU, memory, and disk resources without downtime or data migration. IONOS, including IONOS Windows VPS, generally limits upgrades to predefined higher-tier VPS plans rather than fully flexible resource expansion.
Support & Communication
VPS IONOS offers phone support in multiple countries, which can be useful for users who prefer voice communication, though response times may be slow and live chat is often unavailable. DatabaseMart focuses on fast live chat and ticket-based technical support, providing quicker resolution for VPS-related issues.
Product Diversity
IONOS VPS plans cover the needs of most standard users, but DatabaseMart offers a much broader product range. Its portfolio includes Linux VPS, Windows Server VPS, cheap Windows 10/11 VPS (Windows Desktop VPS), and GPU VPS, totaling 32 different plans, which can meet the requirements of almost all customer scenarios.
User Usage Scenarios
IONOS VPS is a leading option for European and U.S. customers, ideal for startups, small businesses, developers, and IT professionals. Its core use cases include cost-effective web hosting for WordPress and WooCommerce, high-traffic websites, DevOps testing environments, secure office setups, and game server hosting.
Database Mart VPS targets the U.S. and global markets, serving a broader range of clients including small and medium businesses, startups, developers, financial and trading professionals, educational institutions, AI researchers, and game automation developers.
IONOS Reviews vs Database Mart Reviews
Overall Ratings
IONOS generally scores higher on review platforms like HostAdvice and Trustpilot, with an overall rating around 4.7/5.
DatabaseMart reviews typically range between 4.2–4.8/5, reflecting some variability depending on user experience and plan.
Positive Feedback Highlights
IONOS VPS: praised for long-standing reputation, broad service offerings, and reliability for general hosting needs. Phone support is frequently highlighted as a key advantage.
DatabaseMart VPS: praised for strong value, performance-oriented workloads, responsive technical support, and flexible plan options, particularly for high-intensity or specialized applications.
Negative Feedback Trends
IONOS: negative reviews mostly mention price transparency issues, especially high renewal fees.
DatabaseMart: complaints are often related to IP abuse concerns or occasional online communication delays.
Conclusion: Best IONOS Alternative
In summary, while both IONOS VPS and Database Mart VPS offer similar configurations, IONOS pricing—including plans and add-on features—is approximately 50% higher than Database Mart. In terms of use cases, IONOS primarily targets users who need reliable web hosting, lightweight applications and brand stability. Its phone support, stable hardware, and robust security infrastructure make it especially suitable for users with limited technical expertise.
On the other hand, Database Mart VPS is ideal for clients with some technical knowledge who are looking for higher cost efficiency. For those comparing VPS IONOS, seeking an IONOS alternative, Database Mart provides full admin/root access and flexible solutions, making it a strong option for users focused on performance, versatility, and value.
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